Aoi No Homare from AOI Seicha is a complex, full bodied and well balanced ceremonial grade matcha. The powder is a bright vibrant green with a rich fragrance - sweet, toasted rice notes like senbei (rice crackers), pops of pepperiness akin to wasabi and the bright green aroma of sugar snap peas and pea shoots. The initial mouthfeel is creamy with a velvety smoothness as the main notes come to the fore - deep umami, gently savoury with vegetal notes of deep leafy greens. The rich vegetal notes soften towards the back and you're left with a lingering natural sweetness. Aoi No Homore is bold and evenly keeled with no bitterness or astringency. An all rounder for both the traditional and latte drinker who prefers a stronger flavour.
AOI Seicha traces its roots back to the development of Nishio tea in the heart of Aichi prefecture.Nishio has been known the world over as the cradle of the finest Matcha for more than 800 years.Some of Japan's highest quality teas come from Nishio, known as a historic tea cultivating region dating back to the 13th century.
The Honda family name is considered one of the prominent samurai families in ancient Japan, particularly during the Sengoku (Warring States) and Edo periods. Though not initially part of higher nobility, the Honda clan rose to prominence through their service to the Tokugawa family. The hollyhock (tachi-aoi) crest is the symbol mark of AOI Seicha and is also the family crest of the Honda family, and shares a close relation to a more well-known crest, the (Mitsuba Aoi) associated with the Tokugawa clan (and Shogunate), one of the most powerful samurai families during the Edo period (1603 - 1868).
In the early Taisho era (1900s), Honda Yasutaro reclaimed barren farmland in Nishio and opened a tea plantation, marking the beginning of Aoi Seicha. Production was done completely by hand till the 1930s when the second generation owner, Meiji Honda automated their production. Under his guidance, Nishio Tea grew in repute. He served as president of the Nishio Tea Association, town council member, prefectural assembly member and the chairman of the Aichi Prefecture Tea Business Federation. During the National Tea Competition held in Nishio City in 1955, he won the Tencha division cementing the foundations of Aoi Seicha and Nishio tea. Subsequent heads of the Honda family have progressively made various improvements to AOI Seicha, with the sole aim of allowing its tea to come to be highly acclaimed around the world.
Serving Recommendations
Usucha (Thin Tea) Recommended amount per cup: 2g (sift for a smoother consistency)
Servings Per Tin: Averages 15-17 cups of tea
Water Temperature: 60ml of water at 80ºC
Weight | 30g
Origin | Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Please Note • This blend has been exhausted for the 2024 season
